I think I made her cry

During break time, the same day. Ken, Will and Briar are about to leave class and go buy some snacks. As Rebecca sits alone in her seat, Ken motions for her to go with them but she quickly looks away, pretending she hasn't seen him.

Is she that shy? Ken continues walking with his friends.

Rebecca takes advantage of his absence to rummage through the notes he had thrown her a few hours earlier, only to find the first one with the words 'How was the test?'. She roll her eyes and crumples it again, knocking it to the ground. Then she goes to wash her hands.

A few minutes after returning to her seat, Ken's group also returns; the two go back to their seats while Ken takes a chair at random and sits in front of her desk. He opens the packet of chips he bought earlier and starts eating.

"Sorry about earlier but you didn't answer me. Were you ignoring me?" She takes a sip of her berry juice before answering him, avoiding his gaze.

"I-I was focused on the lesson..."

"Ohh, I see. It's okay then!" He eats a handful of chips as she takes a bite of her ham and tomato sandwich, and keeps talking: "Was the test easy?"

"It was no big deal."

"It was quite difficult for me...but I have to admit I'm not a genius. What's your favorite subject?"

"History."

"Oh, I can definitely see it." She gives him a confused expression.

"You seem like the type that might have a good memory. Mine's science because I like to experiment and... let's say that knowing how the world works fascinates me. What's your dream job? Something related to history?" She looks down at her hands holding the brick.

"...Maybe I'll inherit the family business. Maybe..."

"Why 'maybe'?"

"My father wouldn't want it..."

"But do you want it?" She shakes her head lightly.

"Then it's perfect! Isn't it?" She keeps looking down and opens her mouth but no words come out. She just keeps drinking the juice.

She didn't answer my question… she probably doesn't want to talk about it. I'd better change the subject.

"Mh… how about you tutor me?" She nearly chokes on her drink upon hearing his proposal.

"A-are you okay?!" He stands up worried, while she stops him by placing her palm in front of him and punches her chest. He's going to kill me at this rate... she thinks.

"W-why...?"

"Huh?"

"Why would you want me to tutor you?" He, seeing that she’s fine, sits down.

"Because I'm dumb and you're not." He says like it's the most obvious thing in the world and she lets out a chuckle, but she realizes the mistake she's made and straightens back.

"That's all?" She asks.

"We're friends and we should help each other."

"'We're friends'? Do you think of me as a friend?"

"We certainly didn't start off in the best way but I apologized, so you have no other reason not to be my friend, right?"

"You're always mocking me..." She says softly, to herself, so Ken doesn't hear.

"Why would you want to be my friend?" Then she asks aloud.

"Well... I haven't really thought about that..." He says with a thoughtful look.

She doesn't speak right away, she just looks at him with an impassive face and dull eyes. "...Do you feel sorry for me?"

"Huh? No-"

"I don't need a 'hero'! I don't need friends!" She stands abruptly, the feet of the chair scuffing the floor, drawing all of the attention to them.

"I didn't mean that!"

"I don't need anyone!" It isn't long before she runs out of class, followed by Ken.

"Wait, please! There was a misunderstanding!"

"I don't want to listen to you!"

It's probably because he just ate, but she's quick and can't reach her in time before she enters the girls' bathroom.

"Please, let me explain."

"Go away! I don't want to hear your apology!"

"...Fine." He stays still for a few seconds, waiting for an answer that doesn't come. He gets back in time for the next class to start. He sits in his seat, confused and slightly annoyed by the situation.

"Dude, this is the first time I've ever seen you make a girl cry." Briar comments, still sitting facing back.

"She wasn't crying..."

"I'm surprised you don't know how girls work..."

"Is she really crying...?" His gaze softens.

"Hehe, do you feel guilty now?"

"But what can I do? She went into the girls' bathroom. I can't go in there."

"She's smart. I like smart girls." They comment and Ken gives them a confused look while Will looks at them almost disgusted.

In the meantime, the teacher arrives. He takes a few moments to get ready and scan the class, noting Rebecca's absence.

"Where's Howard? Is she in the bathroom? Can someone go check on her?"

"Yes, professor." One of the girls offered.

"Thanks, Sutton. Now, where were we last class?"

Shortly after the classmate returns to class.

"She said she doesn't feel well and would like to spend a little more time in the bathroom."

"What does she have?"

"Stomach ache."

"Okay, just because it's the last period. Come back and let's continue the lesson." He sighs softly.

The stomach ache is clearly an excuse… so is she really crying? Now he feels really guilty.